New diagnosis and just started residency - what now?
Diagnosed via colonoscopy/biopsy yesterday with ulcerative proctitis. Fairly mild symptoms right now - lots of blood and mucus in stool, some urgency/frequency. Starting mesalamine suppositories. I have no idea what to expect. I just finished medical school and started residency a month ago. Residency is known to be extremely demanding hours with very little sleep (80-100 weeks, lots of 36 hour shifts). Im hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt from medical school and now I’m terrified that UC will keep me from finishing residency and starting practice to pay off loans (not to mention being able to work in the field I love and have worked so hard to get to). I don’t know what to tell my program. My family keeps telling me how relieved they are because they were all worried I had cancer and ChatGPT told them this is “manageable” (try not to roll your eyes too hard). I know that nobody’s experiences are the same and it’s difficult to say what my prognosis/experience will be but any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.